The Note Investor Podcast

Dan Deppen
  • 4.6 (28)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

The Note Investor Podcast will guide you through the ups and downs of note investing, and teach you about all of the nitty gritty details of the business that other people won't talk about . Your host, Dan Deppen is a former aerospace engineer and product manager who transitioned away from cubicle life to full time note investing in 2018. Our website is www.fusionnotes.com, where you can subscribe to this podcast, comment, and find links to other information on note investing.

  1. JAN 27

    Common Seller Finance Mistakes

    In this episode of the Seller Finance and Creative Deals Podcast, Dan Deppen shares additional seller finance mistakes that didn't make the cut in his Cash Flow Expo session. He breaks down why "loose standards" and trying to be overly accommodating can backfire for both lender and borrower, how to work with an RMLO the right way (and why you don't want them telling you what you want to hear), and the red flags that show up when borrowers stall on documentation. Dan also explains why "no money in the deal" is fine—until you have no reserves—and why professional operators prioritize borrower quality, process discipline, and risk management.   Register for Cash Flow Expo, Feb 5-7 Note Accelerator, starts mid Febrary Call The Underwriter Register for the weekly Call The Underwriter onboarding call, every Thursday at 12 ET

    25 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    Non-QM Loan Deep Dive, with Steve Johnson

    Dan and Steve discussed the launch of "Call the Mortgage Guy," an extension of "Call the Underwriter" that focuses on non-QM loans. Steve explained that non-QM loans cater to borrowers who don't meet traditional mortgage criteria, such as self-employed individuals and those with non-traditional income, similar to seller finance borrowers. Dan noted the growing popularity of non-QM loans, which have increased from 1-2% to over 8% of the mortgage market in the last 2 years, as lenders target underserved markets. The expansion into mortgage brokering, enabled by mortgage licensing in states like Colorado, Texas, and Florida, aims to address this growing demand. For more info on underwriting seller finance loans or get started on a deal go to www.calltheunderwriter.com For for non-QM loans in TX, FL and CO go to www.callthemortgageguy.com

    52 min

  3. 12/16/2025

    Seller Finance, Done Right - With Caleb Christopher

    In this episode of the Seller Finance and Creative Deals Podcast, Dan Deppen sits down with Caleb Christopher (CreativeTC) to unpack what actually goes wrong in creative finance deals—and how to structure transactions to avoid the most common (and most expensive) mistakes. They dig into a critical contract issue many investors miss: once you sign an agreement as the seller, you may not have a clean way out unless you've written in a seller exit clause tied to borrower qualifications. Dan and Caleb explain how to define those qualification standards upfront, why it matters for Dodd-Frank and "bank-grade" underwriting, and how skipping the right steps can turn a quick exit into a foreclosure-length nightmare. You'll also hear a practical discussion on: The real-world risk of due-on-sale in sub-to and wrap deals (and what you can do when it surfaces) Why "bank-quality" seller finance notes can sell near par—and why that matters The hidden problems with self-servicing and poor payment records Smarter liquidity strategies than balloons, including selling note partials If you're doing seller finance, wraps, or subject-to—and you want fewer surprises and more scalable outcomes—this episode is your playbook.   Connect with Caleb:  Creative TC - https://creativetc.io/ Caleb's Instagram - / fcalebchristopher For more info on underwriting seller finance loans or get started on a deal go to www.calltheunderwriter.com.

    34 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    Buying and Managing Mortgage Notes, with Jamie Bateman

    In this episode of the Seller Finance and Creative Deals podcast, Dan Deppen sits down with Jamie Bateman of Labrador Lending to talk all things mortgage note investing. Jamie shares how he transitioned from rentals and a background in title and mortgage into buying first-lien notes across the country, eventually building a note fund and team to serve investors. He breaks down how he thinks about geography, foreclosure timelines, and the biggest real risk in notes—what you don't know about the interior of the property. Jamie explains how Labrador now serves three types of investors—passive, hybrid, and active—through their income fund, done-for-you asset management service, and one-on-one mentorship plus community. They also dive into the niche of HUD HECM (reverse mortgage) deals as a pre-REO play, why deal flow has shifted since the 2010s, and how both Jamie and Dan are pivoting strategies, including Dan's approach of buying "broken" seller-finance notes and cleaning them up for institutional demand. This episode is a great fit if you're looking for ways to scale, simplify, or reposition your note investing in today's market. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/  Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com   Connect with Labrador Lending Website: www.adversity2abundance.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/labradorlending/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labradorlendingllc/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/labrador-lending/?viewAsMember=true Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChYrpCUlqFYLy4HngRrmU9Q 3 Core Services Integrity Income Fund: labradorlending.com/passive-investors Asset Management Service: labradorlending.com/hybrid-investors Labrador Mentorship: labradorlending.com/investors/active-investors   Connect with Jamie LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bateman-5359a811/ Twitter: twitter.com/batemanjames

    33 min

  5. 10/28/2025

    Mark Monroe on CreMark Monroe on Creative Seller Financing: Wraps, Lease Options, and Doing It Rightative Seller Financing: Wraps, Lease Options, and Doing It Right

    Mark Monroe—30-year investor and author of Creative Real Estate Investing—joins Dan to unpack the real mechanics of seller financing: when to use wraps vs. lease options, why performance deeds can backfire, and how to keep Subject-To ethical (and legal). Mark shares how he sources true win-win deals (including hospice-driven leads), structures low- or zero-down offers, and automates collections with servicers and VAs. They also dig into predatory tactics used by some investors, Dodd-Frank/S.A.F.E./RESPA realities for owner-occupants, and why compliance and underwriting protect both the borrower and your business.   Connect with Mark: https://mark-monroe.com/ Join Mark's 180K+ member Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/395240491763831 Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/  Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

    38 min

  6. 10/22/2025

    Simplifying Seller Finance

    Seller finance compliance feels messy because multiple rule sets overlap and the gray areas are real. In this episode, I break down the essentials—Dodd-Frank Ability-to-Repay (ATR), TRID timelines, and the "Rules of 1, 3, and 5"—and show you how to keep deals simple, compliant, and sellable. Key takeaways Dodd-Frank ATR (the big one): If your borrower is an owner-occupant, you must make a good-faith determination they can repay (credit, income, debts, residual income). You want to underwrite anyway—this protects you and improves loan performance. TRID basics: Send a Loan Estimate (LE) ≥ 7 business days before closing and a Closing Disclosure (CD) ≥ 3 business days before closing. Disclosure reduces misunderstandings and defaults. Rules of 1 / 3 / 5 (why the myths persist): "1 per year": Only applies to natural persons selling their own primary residence (not investment deals or entities). Not the "do anything you want" rule most think it is. "3 per year": You can create up to 3 loans/year without involving an RMLO, but ATR still applies. Not Wild West. "5 per year": You can do up to 5 loans/year without TRID, but if you're already doing ATR with an RMLO, you'll typically do TRID too—there's no reason not to. Why follow ATR + TRID even when not strictly required: Better underwriting → fewer defaults Easier to sell (and at higher prices) to institutional buyers Enforceability if a borrower contests in court Costs are typically passed to the borrower at closing Servicing tip: For owner-occupied loans, use a third-party servicer. Compliance on servicing is even stricter, and you can contractually pass the monthly fee to the borrower. Resources mentioned 📄 One-Page Seller Finance Rule Guide (free) — quick reference you can keep on your desk 🤖 Note Copilot AI — my private GPT trained on 160+ sources (Note Launchpad transcripts, case studies, internal docs) to help you analyze, price, and operate notes in real time Events & shout-outs I'll be at Note Expo in Dallas, Nov 7–8 — great for networking (700+ people). Get your ticket HERE. Paper Trail Conference recap — smaller, intimate, lots of note creators Chapters (adjust timestamps after upload) 00:00 Intro & why seller finance feels confusing 01:10 Event updates (Note Expo, Paper Trail) 03:20 What is Note Copilot AI? 05:50 Seller finance compliance overview 06:30 Dodd-Frank ATR (what it really requires) 08:40 TRID timelines (LE/CD and why they help) 10:15 The 1 / 3 / 5 rules explained (and myths) 14:30 Why follow ATR+TRID even when not mandated 17:20 Servicing: why to outsource & pass fees 19:30 Wrap-up & how to get help Work with me / Get help Underwriting & compliance for seller-finance deals: Call The Underwriter Questions? dan@calltheunderwriter.com

    22 min

  7. 10/14/2025

    The Conveyor Belt Method: Turn One-Off Deals into a Note Machine, with Eddie Speed

    This episode features Eddie Speed, a nationally recognized authority in note investing, seller financing, and creative real estate strategies. Eddie shares insights into his company's focus on acquiring well-structured residential property loans and improving the note creation process through education and investor training. He discusses the origins and mission of NoteSchool, an industry-leading training platform that helps investors master the art of buying, selling, and managing notes. Eddie also previews an upcoming trade show highlighting how blockchain technology is transforming loan sales and enhancing transparency in real estate transactions. The conversation wraps up with details about Note Expo, one of the largest networking events in the note and seller-finance space, emphasizing its role in connecting investors, lenders, and innovators shaping the future of real estate finance. Note Expo is Nov 7-8 in Dallas, get your ticket here: https://noteschool.isrefer.com/go/ne/Fusion/ Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

    31 min

  8. 09/23/2025

    From Loan Servicing to Loan Underwriting - with Shante Duffy

    Shante Duffy recently joined the Call The Underwriter team! In this podcast episode, Dan sits down with Shante Duffy to talk about her journey in real estate investing and loan servicing. From starting as an administrative assistant to managing assets, Shante shares how her career has evolved and what inspired her to join Dan's team to learn the underwriting process. Together, they dive into the key differences between loan origination and servicing—touching on compliance, borrower interactions, and the challenges of managing loans throughout their lifecycle. Shante also reflects on her experiences in the note investing space and looks ahead to exciting plans for team growth, including expansion into non-QM lending and licensing in new states. Want to create your own seller-financed notes? MAKE SURE YOUR NOTES ARE SELLABLE, VALUABLE, AND COMPLIANT: https://calltheunderwriter.com/ Are you Ready to work with Dan to learn how to invest in notes yourself? COMPREHENSIVE NOTE BUYING COURSE: https://www.notelaunchpad.com

    37 min
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4.6
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28 Ratings

About

The Note Investor Podcast will guide you through the ups and downs of note investing, and teach you about all of the nitty gritty details of the business that other people won't talk about . Your host, Dan Deppen is a former aerospace engineer and product manager who transitioned away from cubicle life to full time note investing in 2018. Our website is www.fusionnotes.com, where you can subscribe to this podcast, comment, and find links to other information on note investing.

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